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This highlights the importance of understanding and documenting the successes women have enjoyed in this sector, as well as the barriers they have faced. It may also hinder broader human development, poverty alleviation and the employment equity goals identified by the SDGs. In the absence of appropriately targeted training, education, apprenticeships, employment placement, financial tools and supportive social policies, transitioning to clean energy may exacerbate existing gender inequalities. While there is a tremendous potential to create employment and entrepreneurial opportunities in the clean energy sector almost everywhere in the world, there is a concern that women will become more marginalised if gender equity policies and programmes are not proactively planned and implemented in the renewable sectors. Women are also underrepresented in entrepreneurship, management, senior leadership, and on corporate boards. While in some professions within the clean energy sector, such as support services, women often make up more than half the workforce, they tend to be a minority in other areas, like the trades and operations segments or in positions that require scientific or engineering training. This goal is crucial to achieving many of the other SDGs – from poverty eradication via advancements in health, education, water supply, and industrialisation to mitigating climate change to promoting gender equality, women’s empowerment, and access to decent work for all.Ī close look at clean energy transitions underway around the world shows that women are underrepresented in the renewable energy sector, where they comprise an average of only 32% of the total workforce, 45% of the administrative workforce, 28% of the technical workforce, and 35% of the non-technical workforce, according to the International Renewables Energy Agency (IRENA). SDG7 focuses on ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all. The use of solar energy contributes to clean energy transitions and sustainable development, one of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In addition to its numerous employment options, the solar technology field is attractive because it provides meaningful opportunities to build economically and environmentally sustainable societies.
#Wrise women of renewable industries and sustainable energy software
The array of women profiled here demonstrates the broad range of employment opportunities in this sector, from entrepreneurship and business development to installation and maintenance sales and distribution manufacturing construction and operation of solar energy plants research and development and software development. In addition, many of the best regions for solar technologies, such as India and Africa, have particular needs for distribution and services related to solar energy products. Solar photovoltaic technology creates a high number of jobs due to the large workforce required for installation, sales, and operations and maintenance, so there is a wide range of opportunities available for women. A growing number of women are looking at the solar energy sector as a source of well-paid employment with strong opportunities for career advancement.
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